Rugby World Cup: What sparked the brawl between England and South Africa after their semifinal

New spidercam footage has provided an insight into what sparked an ugly brawl, involving Willie le Roux and Owen Farrell, after the final whistle in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup semifinal victory over England.

Following the frustration of missing out on a spot in the final, thanks to a 78th-minute penalty from Springboks’ replacement first five-eighth Handre Pollard, tensions boiled over as England’s Farrell and replacement half-back Danny Care got themselves involved in an altercation with substitute Springboks fullback le Roux.

Farrell was asked what caused the incident following the 16-15 loss. He put it down to a misunderstanding and the camera footage, via the broadcast, appeared to offer few clues.

But the since-released overhead footage shows a new perspective and it doesn’t look great for le Roux who has clearly done his best to antagonise gutted England players who have just had their World Cup dream shattered.

Following the final blow on Kiwi referee Ben O’Keeffe’s whistle, le Roux runs in to celebrate with his team.

But not content with that, he then runs towards two devastated England players – who don’t react – and jumps around fist-pumping before carrying on with his overzealous celebrations in the direction of Care and Farrell.

This time, le Roux gets a reaction. The English pair advance towards le Roux and then the melee heats up.

But who is really to blame? That’s the question that has divided the internet.

Understandably, le Roux’s actions have been described as classless and unnecessary when he should have been celebrating a famous win for South Africa with his own teammates, but did the England players really need to react?

“This footage of Willie Le Roux is classless,” an England fan wrote on social media. “No gripes about the result. One of those things. But Le Roux’s behaviour was rank.”

But, there is more to this story.

Overexuberant celebrations have been a feature of England’s play in 2023, including in the semifinal against South Africa where they found themselves leading all the way until Pollard executed the long-range penalty from a scrum infringement.

“Willie giving back what the poms were dishing through the 70 minutes of their dominance,” one rugby fan wrote on social media.

Another said: “It seems that England aren’t fans of opposition players celebrating. Maybe they may have some empathy with their opposition going forward when they celebrate a crooked lineout throw like they’ve won the World Cup.”